History of Summerside’s junior mayor and council

A woman snaps a photo of Summerside City Hall in this undated photo. - Google maps

SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — On March 10, the junior mayor and council will be sworn in, which will make it the 40th such council in the history of Summerside.

The first junior mayor and council elected was in 1967 during the term of Mayor George Key.

The first junior mayor to wear the Chain of Office was Parker Rodd, while his councillors included Fred Martin, Danny McNeill, Debbie Sheen, Dave Ford, Geoff Mathews and Gary Desborough.

The junior mayor and council at that time were elected from the student body of Summerside High School, which now houses Summerside Intermediate School.

Key, in speaking to the younger council, stated this was the first time a junior mayor and council was given the opportunity to govern the municipality, and that if they did a good job, such junior councils in the future might have more power bestowed upon them to govern the municipality.

Between the years 1968 and 1981, no junior councils were elected, and there is no indication within the files as to the reason why.

However, former town clerk Vivian MacPhail came across some old files, one of which contained information concerning the junior council of 1967.

Mayor Frances Perry, when learning about the past practice, became enthused and expressed the desire to see the program reinstated.

Perry passed away in the fall of 1981, and her council, knowing how she felt about the Junior Council Day program, ensured that it occurred the next year.

This program was so successful that it has continued on each year since that time.